Nor do the equally binary “Islamist versus secularist” or “liberal versus conservative” models fully apply in Libya where there are no “seculars” or real liberals to speak of.

Instead, what we have is numerous factions with different international and domestic connections, varying goals and competing interests. It is a complex picture of Islamists, organised crime, ultra-conservatives and traditionalists.

The above video, reproduced courtesy of Middle East Eye, outlines briefly the political turmoil that has wracked Libya since the overthrow of Gaddafi in 2011 and culminated in the seizure and destruction of Tripoli airport by Islamist militias on 23 August 2014.